WYD Flyer and Itinerary
WYD Sign-up Form
This WYD pilgrimage will include touring “Green Spain” and following the famous pilgrimage route of the Way of Saint James in northern Spain.
We will be hosted by a parish community for four days in Lugo, and then continue to Madrid for the main World Youth Day
events. The tentative schedule is below:
- Sunday 7 AUG: Take bus from Vermont to Boston and fly to Bilbao (BIO) in northern Spain, arrive Monday.
- Spend 2 nights (Monday and Tuesday) situated on the northern route of the Pilgrims' Road, the Way of Saint James,
to Santiago de Compostela. Stay in a historic Parador hotel near Santillana del Mar, a beautiful medieval town, and explore
this region of northern Spain, known as "Green Spain." Groups will have flexibility to do different activities and
optional tours.
Tuesday Option 1: Enjoy a full day tour of the area visiting the mountains of Picos de Europa. Also included is a cable
ride up the mountain at Fuente De and a tour of Santillana Del Mar. (Cost, including gratuities to escort and driver: $TBD)
Tuesday Option 2: Go on an adventure tour, choose one from below. These activities offer difficulties always
controlled by professional monitors (
Somo Aventura).
--- Canyoning in the Picos de Europe, 25 euros per person (min. 10 people), duration half day: Canyoning may be the queen activity within adventure tourism. It consists of lowering yourself through natural cavities formed from mountain streams, crossing the obstacles that the erosion of the water has formed (stone jumps, rappel, cascades, rafts, wells, toboggans, blocks, etc…). Enjoy the adrenaline, laughter and adventure.
--- Canoeing in the Picos de Europe, 22 euros per person (min. 10 people), duration half day: Canoe on the river Deva and Cares in the Picos de Europe, with the possibility of visiting the village of Potes or charming villages such as Hermes in Peña Rubia, where you can have a typical home-cooked meal after the activity for only 10 euros.
--- Combine two traditional classes: 2 hours of surfing with 1 hour of canoeing (SURFKAYAK) at Somo beach, opposite the city of Santander, 36 euros per person.
--- Rafting Reinosa to Santander, 40 euros per person, duration 2 hours: Raft down the flow of the river Ebro riding in groups of 8 persons per boat.
Tuesday Option 3: Day is free for you to set your own agenda; possibilities include scenic drives, tour the coast
and beaches, tour historic sites, or go to the famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
See
WYD11- Green Spain Link for more information.
- Wednesday 10 AUG: Depart this morning for Leon, following a part of the Way of Saint James.
Wednesday Option 1: Arrive in Leon in time for lunch. After lunch enjoy a three hour tour of Leon which includes the Cathedral of San Isidoro and other important monuments. (Cost, including gratuities to escort and driver: $TBD)
Wednesday Option 2: From our hotel, spend the afternoon riding a portion of the Way of Saint James on bicycle. Bicycle rentals will be arranged through our lodging. (Cost: $TBD)
Wednesday Option 3: Remainder of the day is free after arrival in Leon.
See
WYD11- Way of St. James Link for more information. The blue symbols note areas of
interest. It will only be possible to visit some of these sites during this pilgrimage.
- Thursday-Sunday, 11-14 AUG: Depart for Lugo, again traveling along Way of Saint James, which includes many quaint and
beautiful villages, such as in O Cebreiro. Arrive in Lugo and spend 4 Days of Encounter hosted by parish families.
Lugo, located on a hill on the banks of the river Miño and with its ancient Roman wall, is an ideal setting for
encountering new friends and experiencing the culture and history of the region.
- Monday-Sunday, 15-21 AUG: Fly from Santiago De Compostela (SCQ) to Madrid. Attend World Youth Day events.
Tues: World Youth Day begins this afternoon with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Wed: Catechesis and WYD venues
Thurs: Catechesis and Papal Welcome
Fri: Catechesis and Stations of the Cross
Sat: Pilgrimage Walk and Vigil with Holy Father
Sun: Papal Mass and announcement of the next WYD
- Monday 22 AUG: Fly from Madrid to Boston and take bus back to Vermont.
